Open mike 17/08/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 17th, 2013 - 48 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

48 comments on “Open mike 17/08/2013 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tom 1
    17 August 2013 at 6:20 am

    Is he *still* flogging Norton Antivirus ?

    “Developed and distributed by Symantec, it *only* runs on MS Windows and Mac OS X.
    It has involved FBI cooperation in developing a keylogger [Magic Lantern], an update disabling legitimate software, slow and indifferent service on bugs, a faulty update for Norton AntiVirus 2006 users, criticisms for refusing to uninstall completely – leaving unnecessary files behind, incompatibilities with ZoneAlarm, a firewall warning stating that a Norton-associated file – “PIFTS.exe” – was trying to connect to the net, and consumers complaints for perceived ethical violations .. and that is just what is the public domain.”

  2. geoff 2
    17 August 2013 at 7:11 am

    Just so we don’t lose sight of the heart of the problem here’s a recap:

    We are living in a time when it has been proven that the USA has created a global surveillance system, straight from the pages of 1984, and it has also been shown that NZ’s GCSB is an active part of this system.

    At the same time as all this is happening, our Prime Minister, John Key, is refusing to even acknowledge that this global story has even occurred AND he is pushing through legislation which allows the GCSB even more powers of surveillance.

    • Colonial Viper 2.1
      17 August 2013 at 9:34 am

      Are we living with Huxley or are we living with Orwell.

      Well we started with Huxley, and the illusion/delusion of brain numbing consumer-corporate branding comfort.

      Now that is starting to not work, we are transitioning nicely to Orwell’s permanent war-surveillance state.

      As usual, we are just 10-15 years behind the USA.

  3. Saarbo 3
    17 August 2013 at 7:59 am

    NZ Herald today: National Party cheerleaders Fran O Sullivan and John Armstrong gloating about Key’s performance on CL, just a small mention that he told a crucial porky about “content” …which I believe changed the balance of the interview in Key’s favour. But when one of New Zealand’s major media organisations is prepared to go along with Key’s porkies instead of crucifying him, we have a major problem.

    (Copied from my comment yesterday) But you have to admire National’s damage control, they have incredibly powerful allies in the media, which is scarey. Labour need to raise their game enormously. This brings me back to the this weeks Listener article on the Labour Party where Mike William’s says “for a party to be strong and credible, six key figures in the party need to be working in unison. They are the leader, the deputy leader, the chief of staff, the party president, the party general secretary and the campaign director.” Well I reckon he left two out. He needs to add in the caucus and members. Labour are going to have to make sure everything is aligned and heading in the same direction to beat this National Party. This National Party is a powerful party on top of their game, as Chris Trotter pointed out in a recent article, the Left is taking them too lightly. The way they have recovered from this cock up is case in point.at

    • Olwyn 3.1
      17 August 2013 at 8:34 am

      You are right. It does not matter if “six key figures” are working like clockwork if everyone else is angry with them, or has given up on them. I don’t think Mike Williams is taking into account the amount of “political capital” that Labour has lost over the last few years.

      • phillip ure 3.1.1
        17 August 2013 at 2:35 pm

        from hearing williams on nat-rad – he is a throwback to the douglas 80’s..

        ..and is a constant apologist for the current fucked-paradigm..

        ..and if he ‘agreed with matthew’ (hooten) any more..

        ..he’d be carrying his bags..

        ..phillip ure..

        • Tim 3.1.1.1
          17 August 2013 at 8:12 pm

          @ Phillip …
          I’ve considered a complaint to the BSA. The “From the Left, and From the Right” handle is essentially false advertising. No doubt it’d be pushing shit further uphill than is necessary … but you’re correct – they could put Williams’ “Mathew … I agree with you” on a cartridge and just have the technician push the play button and save themselves the fees.

          • Rhinocrates 3.1.1.1.1
            17 August 2013 at 11:20 pm

            Williams is just a joke, a pathetic, spineless trougher like Shearer and the rest of the ABC club… but alas, so representative/symptomatic of the ABC club. “They are winning, therefore they must be right, therefore we must be like them.”

            I’d say it’s Stockholm Syndrome, but in fact it’s corruption and terror. All they want are their meal tickets and high list positions, because that there’s nowhere else they can go. Goff’s got to pay for his lifestyle block somehow, he knows that even the UN won’t take him and Shearer thinks that he has a cushy retirement job and a knighthood due to him, Hipkins is just a yuppie and Curran wants good soil and regular watering.

            I don’t even want to think about what Mallard wants… it’s probably boobs.

            Meanwhile, we’re supposed to be grateful while paying the tithe of our votes.

            On the other hand, I’m confident of a devastating Left victory in 2017. It’s a pity that they’ll inherit ruins.

    • Hami Shearlie 3.2
      17 August 2013 at 9:06 am

      And it’s all very well for the Herald to highlight what Fran Mold is doing at the moment – working hard to make Shearer fit to be leader, by making him seem more aggressive – Fact is (and this Fran should know) if it’s not in him naturally, then no amount of coaching is going to work – he’s only going to look like a big fake once again. David Cunliffe has all the qualities a leader should have and then some, and they come naturally to him, he doesn’t need any coaching from Fran or anyone else!! ABC must know this, and even if they don’t like it, they’re going to have to suck it up for the good of the Party, or there won’t BE any party.

      • David H 3.2.1
        17 August 2013 at 9:46 am

        “ABC must know this, and even if they don’t like it, they’re going to have to suck it up for the good of the Party, or there won’t BE any party.”

        And there lies the corpse that was Labour. Killed by the ABC club! Who, as long as they collect their pay packet could not give a rats arse about the rank n file members.

      • yeshe 3.2.2
        17 August 2013 at 2:02 pm

        If they don’t put Cunliffe in there as the members seem to want, we are doomed to another term of these mad people. There won’t be any party. C’mon Labour .. do the best thing for NZ just this once ?

      • Saarbo 3.2.3
        17 August 2013 at 3:52 pm

        Yep Hami, it seems naive of Fran O Sullivan to suggest that Fran Mold can make a big difference, there are a lot of factors in play to achieve success.

        Shearer has not managed to bring Labour together, which I reckon is critical, absolutely critical if Labour are to succeed (The way he handled the Gower orchestrated crisis after the November conference was atrocious, achieved exactly the opposite of what it should have and lead to two strong caucus members leaving). And success isn’t just about winning in 2014 (which is what I believe most of the Labour caucus seem to think), success is winning in 2014 and then running a successful and strong government for more than one weak term. For this to happen then Labour need to get all 8 factors moving in the same direction

        David Cunliffe is the leader that would get most members in behind the party, I’m certain of that. But the caucus need to pull together…that is the major problem I reckon, but only they can sort this out. If the caucus are not going to sort themselves out, then I reckon let Shearer lead into 2014 election, FAIL, then have a good cleanout…think long term. There would be nothing worse for the left that one weak term.

        • Hami Shearlie 3.2.3.1
          17 August 2013 at 7:33 pm

          True, Saarbo! -What I find disgusting is the blatant self-interest amongst many Labour MPs! The arrogance of the ABC club is absolutely breathtaking! Annette King “David Shearer is doing a great job” for instance. If this is a “great job”, what on earth does a bad one look like?

          • Rhinocrates 3.2.3.1.1
            17 August 2013 at 11:52 pm

            Look at the ABC club and see old French aristocrats. They’re sure that you owe them since for time immemorial, or for a few seconds at least, they claimed to be your champions; they know that they deserve their privileges, or at least they don’t know what they’d do without them and they’re terrified that they could crumble away.

            They once waved a flag you know.

            It was beige. Red would scare people away, but beige is conciliatory, uncontroversial – PRAGMATIC.

            Try to forget that Goff, King and Mallard licked Douglas’ arse and Hipkins would if he weren’t too busy squeezing pimples, forget their lifestyle blocks, their ticket scalping and greed.

            Forget that they’re pushing any real progressive agenda back – like marriage equality – because it’s “distracting”… except when it succeeds… but, er, it’s still a bit embarrassing, so they don’t want to upset their hallucination of the Waitakere vote, so… well, I guess we’d better issue a reassuring press release saying that the policy we released was… well, um… popular… but you know, the markets and all…

            Here’s my suggestion for Labour’s election slogan in 2014 as the ABC club would have it:

            “Fuck you, just get off your roof and vote for us, alright? I’m your hero blah blah blah and I’m hungry too and the venison at Bellamy’s looks damn good.”

            It would, on their terms, be honest at least, but the caucus and membership would have something far more meaningful.

    • Ad 3.3
      17 August 2013 at 10:20 am

      Key will remain where he is – in power – until Labour has an equal or superior leader.

      The supporting machinery are I agree a help, but 50%of national’s stunning continued success is a weak opposition leader, with another 10% a disunited opposition. There’s been plenty of issues to sink this government. The rest is down to how good Key is.

  4. ScottGN 4
    17 August 2013 at 8:19 am

    For the benefit of Maurice Williamson The Guardian has a video of a Richard Rogers designed flatpacked prefab 3 storey house being constructed in just one day in the courtyard of the RA in London.
    http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/architecture-design-blog/video/2013/aug/16/richard-rogers-timelapse-house-build-video

    • bad12 4.1
      17 August 2013 at 9:06 am

      This site posted by Macro in Open Mike yesterday deserves another airing, a 3 week build in a factory and a couple of days to set up on it’s piles and hey presto move in,

      These people have any number of designs which they can build so Maurice need not worry His luxuriant little bouffant about ‘rows of houses all looking the same’,

      i would assume after having a quick look at the site that a second story could be added to these places without too much problem and garages if required…

      http://www.go-homes.co.nz/

  5. North 5
    17 August 2013 at 8:23 am

    “I feel pretty……oh so pretty……..”

    Dear Old Boardroom Trout Fran O’Sullivan in the Herald this morning dusting off her Best Side West Side Story……..”For I’m loved by a pretty wonderful boy……..”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10913505

    “The mainstream deserves better.” Huh !

    • halfcrown 5.1
      17 August 2013 at 10:36 am

      Good post North, I like it, it conjures up a not so pretty picture of O Sullivan dancing on a roof or boardroom table somewhere.

      I cannot comment on the articles unfortunately, as I don’t purchase that pathetic excuse of a paper. The reason being, and I have said in the past. “We prefer our shit house paper to come in rolls”.

      As for O’ Sullivan, she is so predictable dribbling right wing bullshit I have avoided listening to her on the radio or television for a long time, and I certainly would not strain my eyes reading the crap she writes.

  6. Jenny 6
    17 August 2013 at 9:23 am

    ”Nothing is more pressing than climate change; we need to elevate our priorities and address the challenge.”

    Maryan Street Labour environment spokesperson

    ”refreshing” to see the issue of climate change back on the agenda.

    Janet Stephenson University of Otago Centre for Sustainability director

    Street’s statement is a direct challenge to climate change, (and GCSB bill), ignorer, David Shearer. Is David Shearer finally starting to lose his conservative grip on the Labour caucus?

    Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said information from seminars such as yesterday’s would be used to help Labour form its environment policy.

    Rebecca Fox Otago Daily Times, Thursday 15 2013

    If what Rebecca Fox has reported is true, then the Labour caucus will be reconsidering their support for, Denniston, deep sea oil drilling, and fracking.

    This would make a coalition with the Greens on a more equitable basis a much more likely probability.

    Good on Maryan Street. Good on Clare Curran.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      17 August 2013 at 11:02 am

      Hmmmm I don’t think that you understand much about Labour Party environment/conservation situation. Basically, most interested parties have given up on them. For instance. Smith’s Milford Tunnel decision? I still can’t find a single Labour Party press release about the decision even though it was arguably the biggest conservation decision of the last 6 months. The Greens had their statement out a couple of hours after Smith announced.

      As for climate change. This civilisation is going to burn and bury itself, led by corporate interests. The melting of the Artic sea ice and permafrost? Just another drilling opportunity for Exxon Mobil and Gazprom.

  7. phillip ure 7
    17 August 2013 at 9:57 am

    does anyone know if new zealand signed up to the u.n. plan to save the amazon..?

    ..(i tried googling..found zip..)

    ..where the worlds’ countries pledged $1.3 billion – and have actually stumped up with $13 million..?

    ..(and the deal has now been ‘torn up’…?..)

    ..did we sign up..and for how much..?..

    ..and did we pay our share..?

    ..and if not..why not..?..eh..?

    phillip ure..

  8. Colonial Viper 8
    17 August 2013 at 10:28 am

    John Armstrong mentions Boadicea by name!!! Ha!

    Hmmmmm I don’t remember Fran Mold doing that great a job at being Shearer’s press secretary 2012-2013. Correct me if I am wrong peeps? And now a promotion to CoS which Armstrong couldn’t applaud louder if he tried.

    Bloody Wellington bubble gaming.

  9. phillip ure 9
    17 August 2013 at 10:29 am

    bloody hell..!

    ..one in five greens..and 84% of nz first voters..

    ..want a return to capital punishment/state-executions..

    http://whoar.co.nz/2013/the-nation-a-review-ed-bloody-hell-one-in-five-greens-want-a-return-to-capital-punishmentstate-execution-of-selected-criminals/

    phillip ure..

    • Paul 9.1
      17 August 2013 at 1:22 pm

      That’s what happens when newspapers put crime a front page fodder day in, day out.
      As usual, no analysis of why such views have eventuates.

  10. joe90 10
    17 August 2013 at 11:38 am

    In a twenty first century surveillance state the last ditch effort to stop young women being sent away to a life of misery – a spoon in the undies…sigh.

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/08/15/spoon-in-underwear-saving-youths-from-forced-marriage/

    http://www.karmanirvana.org.uk/

  11. newsense 11
    17 August 2013 at 12:02 pm

    The Herald is coming! All is saved!

    “When the Labour-led Government in 2007 forced through the deeply undemocratic Electoral Finance Bill, to widespread criticism including from Mr Key, the issue never rated a blip in polls. Given a choice between the state of the economy, health, education or immigration, highlighting a concern with how elections could be funded proved all too abstract.

    Yet it was important and its controversy undoubtedly fed a general public malaise with a high-handed Government.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10913538

    Of course none of this, http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/08/nanny-national/, is so deeply undemocratic as to warrant the Heralds ire. And well done to Herald journos for calling a fight for Key, but not doing any fact checking. Isn’t fact checking a journos job?

    • Paul 11.1
      17 August 2013 at 1:14 pm

      Whoever are the editors and subeditors should hang their heads in shame.
      They are enabling a deeply undemocratic law and failing in their role as the 4th estate.
      Wonder how much they get paid to sell their souls?

      • rod 11.1.1
        17 August 2013 at 4:59 pm

        I would suggest, HEAPS.

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1
          17 August 2013 at 5:13 pm

          Not that much these days…but certainly way more in TV than anywhere else….but print is drowning in red ink

          • Rhinocrates 11.1.1.1.1
            18 August 2013 at 12:04 am

            It used to be said that politicians should never start a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel. Now they can always argue with someone who buys red ink by the barrel.

  12. ianmac 12
    17 August 2013 at 1:10 pm

    If the Public Meeting on Monday Re the GCSB Bill was really huge in numbers, would the organisers have been allowed to hire the future Skytower Convention Centre?

  13. Morrissey 13
    17 August 2013 at 2:19 pm

    Those protestors WANTED to get killed, says Guardian hack
    Huge contrast to sensible democracy-loving westerners
    Radio NZ National, Saturday 17 August 2013

    Democracy has, again, been bloodily crushed in Egypt. There are all kinds of experts who she could have interviewed about this disaster, but unfortunately Kim Hill’s producers decided to bypass all of them and instead went to a safe pair of hands called Ian Black, who is one of those unfeasibly smug and complacent Grauniad hacks that foolish and uninformed people keep calling “liberal”.

    The interview went exactly as one would have expected. I have got to the stage of not letting most of these pseudo-journalists upset me now; you just have to admit the fact that the corporate media is an integral part of the establishment, and that if Ian Black was any good at all, he would not be rejoicing in the grand title of “Middle East Editor of the Grauniad“. So I was prepared for virtually any depravity to fall from Black’s lips—-but he still managed to stagger me (and I’m sure many other listeners) when he delivered up a Breivik-level analysis of the Islamic love of being killed. In spite of my vow of self-restraint, I had to spring into action. Just before 9 a.m., listeners heard Kim read out the following e-mail….

    Dear Kim,

    Ian Black asserted, in apparent high seriousness, that “in Islam there is this concept of martyrdom.” I’ll remember how addicted to martyrdom those Islamic people are the next time I pass a War Memorial in this country.

    Ian Black’s comment is similar to General Westmoreland’s infamous statement about how Asians were a “formidable adversary” because they had “such a disregard for human life”, and (more recently) Rosemary McLeod’s sniffy assessment on Jim Mora’s show that “these people [Egyptians] have no desire for democracy”.

    Yours sincerely,
    Morrissey Breen
    Northcote Point

  14. Colonial Viper 14
    17 August 2013 at 5:42 pm

    AOS accidentally shoot suspect after suspect voluntarily surrenders and has been handcuffed

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10913551

    Seriously. Do NOT give the police easier access to firearms, it is arguably too easy at the moment.

    • Tim 14.1
      17 August 2013 at 8:25 pm

      And what do you think the outcome of it all will be?.
      I’m picking an “oh sorry, accidents happen”, and “the officer has been punished enough – he has to live with this for the rest of his life” …. next.

      The Polis are apparently taking this “VERY seriously” however.

  15. Linz 15
    17 August 2013 at 10:38 pm

    On a lighter note: on Wednesday last week I sent an email to my MP asking her about the GCSB bill, and in particular if New Zealanders are being spied on by the US, given what Edward Snowden has had to say. I also asked how easy would it be to get noticed by the NSA by accident if you innocently used buzz words like those on the list of 680+ words in the Homeland Security spooks’ hand book. I added the list at the end of her email and sent it off. I then sent a copy of the email to every member of parliament, so this list of dangerous words got a bit of an airing. I’ve also got a blog called Six More Lines where I write innocuous sounding articles, which I pepper with dangerous words, to see if the spooks notice. Snowden said it’s quite easy. Well, my mail-out was on Tuesday, and I was feeling very clever, then on Thursday morning I pressed the start button on my computer and there was one hell of a bang! My computer literally blew up. “My God! I thought. Can they really do that already?” I went to my husband and asked, “Do you think it’s just a coincidence?” He said,”Well, if it’s not we’re in deep shit!”
    Galloping paranoia: it was just the power supply box.
    You can find the list of incriminating words here: (http://epic.org/foia/epic-v-dhs-media-monitoring/Analyst-Desktop-Binder-REDACTED.pdf). You can also find my blog here: http://sixmorelines.blogspot.co.nz/.

    • weka 15.1
      17 August 2013 at 11:03 pm

      Lolz @ “galloping paranoia”.

      Thanks for posting, I was just about to ask if anyone had a link to your blog.

The server will be getting hardware changes this evening starting at 10pm NZDT.
The site will be off line for some hours.